The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 19, 2025

Just Two Weeks Before Bribery and Corruption Charges are Dropped Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez Gets 11 Years
A federal judge sentenced former New Jersey U.S. Senator Bob Menendez January 29th to 11 years in prison for corruption charges and acting as a foreign agent. Menendez, a Democrat, was contrite in the courtroom, but blasted the process as “political,” and “corrupted to the core” in a not-so-subtle appeal to President Donald Trump.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute - (2024) ‘This wasn’t politics as usual, this was politics for profit.’  U.S. Senator Robert Menendez Convicted of Bribery & Conspiracy Charges.
U.S. Attorney - Southern District of NY - Former U.S. Senator Robert Menendez Sentenced To 11 Years In Prison For Bribery, Foreign Agent, And Obstruction Offenses
NJ Monitor - Former Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years in bribery scheme
U.S. Justice Department - New York City Mayor Eric Adams Charged With Bribery And Campaign Finance Offenses
U.S. Department of Justice  via CNN – Dismissal Without Prejudice of Prosecution of Mayor Eric Adams
NBC News - Federal prosecutors in New York and Washington resign after refusing to drop Adams charges

Groups Taking Action:

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW),  Public Citizen,  Brennan Center for Justice

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Corruption #QuidProQuo #EricAdams #BobMenendez

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 18, 2025

Arizona’s DMV Error May Force Nearly 200,000 Already Registered Voters to Bring In Citizenship Documents – or Be Dropped 

In September 2024, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes announced an error in state voter rolls involving 97,000 voters, revolving around a state DMV data error.  That number has risen to nearly 200,000, and an easy fix still hasn’t been found.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute - (2024) State Data Mistake Puts Voting in Local & State Elections at Risk for 97,000 Arizonans
Votebeat Arizona/Arizona Mirror - Arizona officials struggle to straighten out voter rolls after proof-of-citizenship mixup
Votebeat Arizona/Arizona Mirror - Arizona voters caught up in state’s citizenship-proof error could see their registrations canceled

Arizona House of Representatives - HB 2038 - Voter registrants; satisfactory proof of citizenship; delayed repeal

Groups Taking Action:

All Voting is Local Action - Arizona,  League of Women Voters AZ

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ArizonaNews #ProofofCitizenship #VoterRegistration

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 17, 2025

CISA Pauses All Election Security Programs for Full Review.  Hint:  It’s Not About Election Integrity, It’s Reprisal for Telling the Truth.
The interim head of CISA, charged with protecting America’s critical cybersecurity infrastructure, including for elections, just issued a memo pausing all election protection operations, pending a review.  Hint:  It’s about countering Trump’s 2020 election claims.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute - (2023) U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Head Announces Additional Election Security Advisors to Assist States in Securing Elections
Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency  - (2024)  2024 Year in Review
Politico - Trump continues federal purge, gutting cyber workers who combat disinformation
Mother Jones - Trump Is Gutting Efforts to Combat Foreign Election Interference
WIRED - Top US Election Security Watchdog Forced to Stop Election Security Work
Cyberscoop - CISA election, disinformation officials placed on administrative leave, sources say

Groups Taking Action:

Common Cause Election Disinformation, Protect Democracy, Election Worker Legal Defense Network,  Center for Internet Security/ISA, IssueOne/Don’t Mess With US.org

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #CISA #ForeignInterference

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 14, 2025

State Updates on Bills Shortening Early Voting and Changing Mail-in Ballot Requirements, and the Contested NC Supreme Court Race Lawsuit

While attacks on democracy norms ensue in Washington, state legislatures have also been busy.  We have updates from Utah, Kansas, Indiana, and an update on the contested North Carolina Supreme Court race. 

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Voting Rights Lab - The Markup
Voting Rights Lab - Bill Search

Utah State Legislature - HB 300 -  provides that, after a ballot is mailed to a voter, the voter is, subject to certain exceptions, required to return the ballot in person to a polling place where the voter must provide valid voter identification;
Utah State Legislature - HB 289 - authorizes the lieutenant governor to contract with a third-party to maintain voter rolls;
Kansas House (via VRL) - SB 4 - Requiring all advance voting ballots be returned by 7:00 p.m. on election day.

Indiana Senate - SB 284 - Reduces the period during which in person absentee voting may occur to a 14 day period ending at noon on the day before election day.
The Carolina Journal - Trial judge rejects Griffin’s NC Supreme Court ballot challenges

Groups Taking Action:

ACLU of Utah,  Democracy NC, Common Cause Indiana, Loud Light Kansas

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #KansasNews #IndianaNews #NCNews, #UtahNews

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 13, 2025

Voter Suppression Bills Aimed at College Students Pushed (Again) by the NH Legislature
The New Hampshire legislature has proposed various schemes over the last decade to keep liberal-leaning college students living in the state from voting in elections.  Most have failed, but no fewer than three voter suppression bills are before the legislature this year.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

NH Dept. of Justice - Establishing Domicile/Residence in New Hampshire
NH Supreme Court -  Decision overturning SB 3 - League of Women Voters NH v. Gardner
NH House - HB 323 - AN ACT requiring the presentation of a government-issued photographic means of identification in order to vote. 
NH Senate - SB 223 - AN ACT relative to using college or university student identification cards to obtain a ballot.
NH House  -  HB 289 - Prevents a person from claiming domicile if that person is a legal dependent of a person who does not live in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Bulletin - Republicans say out-of-state college students should vote back home; students disagree
WMUR - Bill would remove college IDs as qualifying identification to vote in New Hampshire

Groups Taking Action:

Open Democracy NH, League of Women Voters NH, NH Youth Movement, NH Campaign for Voting Rights

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #NHNews #VotingRights #VoterSuppression #StudentVoters

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 12, 2025

Trump Fires Office of Government Ethics Chief Monday; Hours Later, DOJ Drops Federal Corruption Charges Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams
February 10th, the head of the Office of Government Ethics, a Senate-confirmed position, was fired by letter by President Donald Trump, likely illegally. In an even more questionable action the same day, the U.S. Department of Justice dropped federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

The Hill - Trump fires Office of Government Ethics chief
American Democracy Minute - (2024)  NYC’s Embattled Mayor Denied $4.5 Million in Matching Funds from City’s Public Campaign Finance Funding System
The Guardian - ‘Currying favor with Trump’: Eric Adams’ rightward drift sparks speculation as prosecution looms
CNN - Justice Department directs prosecutors to drop federal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams
U.S. Department of Justice  via CNN - Dismissal Without Prejudice of Prosecution of Mayor Eric Adams

Associated Press - Judge orders fired head of whistleblower agency reinstated while fight continues over Trump removal

Groups Taking Action:

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Brennan Center for Justice, Public Citizen 

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #DraintheSwamp #DonaldTrump #EricAdams, #NYC #MoneyinPolitics #PoliticalCorruption

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 11, 2025

Trump Attempts to Fire Federal Election Commission Chair ‘Effective Immediately.’  It’s Not Legal.
After 22 years as a commissioner and chair of the Federal Election Commission, Ellen Weintraub was purportedly sacked by President Donald Trump with this terse sentence: “You are hereby removed as a Member of the Federal Election Commission, effective immediately.”  But as with several of Trump’s recent actions, it’s not legal. 

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Federal Election Commission - Mission & History
Federal Election Commission - Agency Structure (Weintraub's seat is now listed as vacant)
FEC Chair Ellen Weintraub on "X" - Letter Firing Wintraub from President Donald Trump
FEC Chair Ellen Weintraub on "Bluesky" - Response to Donald Trump's Letter
Open Secrets - What is Happening at the FEC?
Campaign Legal Center -  Trump Illegally Attempts to Fire Federal Election Commission Chair Ellen Weintraub
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) - No, the FEC did not absolve Trump of his hush money campaign finance issues
Federal Election Commission - (2021) STATEMENT OF REASONS OF CHAIR SHANA M. BROUSSARD AND COMMISSIONER ELLEN L. WEINTRAUB
Investigative Reporting Workshop - (2021) FEC debates deadlocks and dismissals

Groups Taking Action:

CREW, Campaign Legal Center

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #FEC #FederalElectionCommission #EllenWeintraub #TrumpCriminalTrials

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 10, 2025

In WI, State Supreme Court Candidate’s Image Altered by AI in Opponent’s Attack Ad, and Election Commission Administrator Targeted by Conspiracy Theorists Allowed to Stay
We’re in Wisconsin today, where a candidate for state supreme court had her image manipulated by AI in an opponent’s attack ad, and the state high court allowed the state’s embattled elections board administrator to stay, after three years of conspiracy-driven attacks by state GOP leaders.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Wisconsin Legislative Council -  2023 WISCONSIN ACT 123
Schimel Campaign on X - Attack ad on WI Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Schimel campaign acknowledges altering photo in ad to make opponent Crawford look 'ashamed'
Wisconsin Politics - Crawford campaign: Files ethics complaint, urges thorough investigation over manipulated image used by Brad Schimel
American Democracy Minute - (2023) Wisconsin Senate Election Deniers Vote to Oust the State’s Election Director for Recommending 2020 Pandemic Voting Accommodations
Wisconsin Watch - Meagan Wolfe can stay on as Wisconsin’s top election official, state Supreme Court rules

Wisconsin Examiner - Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously finds WEC administrator can stay in job

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #WINews #WisconsinElection #AIEthics #MeaganWolfe

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 7, 2025

Nebraska & New Hampshire Wrestle with “Winner Take All” and “Winner by District” Presidential Electoral Vote Systems
A New Hampshire Senate bill, just killed in committee, would have moved the state’s four presidential electoral votes to a “Winner by District” system, from “Winner Take All”.  Nebraska, the only state besides Maine which apportions its electoral votes by district, is trying to end it.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

National Conference of State Legislators - The Electoral College
National Archives - Distribution of Electoral Votes
New Hampshire Bulletin - Some push for end to New Hampshire ‘winner take all’ Electoral College allocations
American Democracy Minute - GOP-Controlled NH Legislature Proposes Proportional Presidential Electoral Votes. Will Gerrymandered Congressional Districts Follow?

NH General Court - SB 11 , relative to the allocation of electoral college votes
Nebraska Examiner - Lawmaker proposes ‘backup’ winner-take-all measure for Nebraska presidential electors
AP - The GOP keeps failing to make Nebraska a winner-take-all state. Now it might ask voters to do it

Groups Taking Action:

National Popular Vote, Stand Up America, FairVote, Common Cause US

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ElectoralCollege #NationalPopularVote #NebraskaNews #NHNews

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb 6, 2025

Will Utah’s Voter-Approved Independent Redistricting Commission and Fair Maps Prevail Over the Legislature’s Attempt to RigThem?
In 2018, Utah voters approved a ballot initiative establishing an independent redistricting commission to create fair voting districts.   The legislature neutralized it, and gerrymandered the maps anyway.  It’s now back before a Utah judge.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute - Utah Voters Fought Back After Their Fair Voting Districts Constitutional Amendment was Gutted by an Anti-Voter Legislature.  They Won.
Utah Supreme Court -  LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF UTAH, et al., v. UTAH STATE LEGISLATURE
American Democracy Minute - After Losing in Court and at the Polls, Utah Legislature Approves Nov. Ballot Measure to Veto or Alter Citizen Ballot Measures to Protect Its Power
Campaign Legal Center - Utahns Score Huge Victory Voiding Amendment D
Utah News Dispatch - Will Utah get new congressional maps? Judge hears oral arguments in Utah redistricting case

Groups Taking Action:

League of Women Voters UT, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, Campaign Legal Center

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #UtahLegislature #EndGerrymandering #FairMaps